Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-04-02
TALE OF A TELEGRAM.

glhncing round, she saw young nnn
emerging from the shadow of one Of the
great willows that guarded the gate. AS
he pulled Off his hat with a low bow, the
sunlight brought out the FURNISHED black
Of his close cut hair, and throw into
stronger relief HIS bronzed, handsome
face, to which q slight scar on one cheek
gave a touch Of the romantic and pict-
uresque. So thought Maud, after her
brief, comprehensive survey.
81 beg your pardon, y said the stranger,
tanning himself with his straw hat as he
spoke, ''but can you tell me If Mr.. Esta-
brook Is herer'
ooh" thought Maud, 'one of Toms
friends" Then, aloud, Eyes that is, he
lives here, but he isn't at homo today
As the newcomer stood irresolute,
Maud gave him another quick look, which
summed up his whole appearance, from
his six feet of stature and the light pedes-
trian garb that set it Off, to the knapsack
hanging over his broad shoulders. Then
she said, hesitatingly: "IIe may be back
tonight perhaps Won't you come up to
the house and restS 1t is so warml And
my mother win be glad to see any friend
of Toms"
The young man retur led her inquiring
glance as he answered, also with some
hesitation; Thanks 1t is very warm
certainly. should be delighted to pay
my respects to--Nrs Estabrook, If she
win permit me-"
With that he put on his hat again, and
the two walked along together under the
blossoming acacia trees, while he intro
duced himself as Marston Folliott, just
now pedestrianizing in that region. nc
which she responded with the informa-
ton that she was "Tom's sister,"
In this way they reached tho house,
where Mrs. Estabrook was discovered in
the cool north parlor. She received hel
sons friend very Hospitality, inviting hir.i
to await Toms return, which was ex,
pected by the next morning at latest,
Mr.. Folliott's manner was again hest
tating, as he half glanced toward Maud
81 really ought not to take advantage
---he began.
But Mrs. Estabrook, nervous, excit-
able woman, given to starts and broker
sentences, interrupted him: mo, no
Pray don't say So Really, it would re
lieye my mind, now that my son is away
and of course Peter must choose this very
time Maud, Peter hasn't come bach
yet? No, not q man on the place, ant
this is such a solitary neighborhood
Burglars and tramps would have us quit
at their mercy"
| So the young man accepted the urgen
invitation, and the afternoon wore awal
pleasantly, with music and conversation
and strolling about the grounds.
1t was almost tea time. The two ladie.
with their guest were sitting on the breez!
piazza when telegraph messenger cam,
up the steps, delivered his yellow covered
missive and was off again like shot on
of sight.
''From Tom, probably, y said Mrs Esta
brook. ''Mr. Folliott, you will excuse
| me?''
She broke open the envelope, while thu
conversation between the two young PEG
| pie went on. But it was suddenly inter
rupted by an inarticulate sound from Mrs
Estabrook, and looking around, they saw
her white and trembling. Maud ran t,
her mother and put her arm about her
81 nope you have received no baC
news''-began Mr. Folliott. But as h
advanced Mrs, Estabrook waved hin
back, with poor attempt at u smile.
EOh no, not bad at all-only q little
little-unexpected." Then she conveyed
q silent summons to Maud's anxious eye
adding with the same forced lightness, 81
you will excuse our leaving you alone TO
moment, ME. Folliott, 1 have it'll
household matter to arrange with m,
daughter That is all, indeed. 1t is onl!
for moment-only moment, assur
you"
AS they withdrew she sedulously re
turned Mr.. Folliott's bow, all the Will
preserving a set smile strangely at va
rance with her pale face But no soone
had they entered the house than
dropped away, as she turned to he
daughter and said, in a hollow whisper:
Maud, that man is a burglarn
Maud stared at this startling announce
ment. 'What man, mammaY
"That man out there-that Folliott, a
he calls himself. He isn't friend O
TOMS. Just read this-from Amelia"
Maud took the telegram, which wa
from her married sister, living some fit
miles distant, This was what it con
tanned;
''Have just learned from nursemaid Q
suspicious stranger making her acquaint
| uDCe. AbkGu au dDOuJ Inc w lliOWS uu
number Of inmates. Seemed to knoy
something of Tom. Tall, dark, gentle
manly looking, and has o scar on on
cheek Look out for him."
''Has scar on one cheek!'' echoe
Maud, family, after an instant's blan
silence.
''Oh, Maud, what shall we do 20 moane
Mrs Estabrook, sinking into seat
"And we have actually invited him to tie
"a burglar Well, for friend, though
he seemed very uncertain about Tom
81 noticed that too,n answered Maud
with bent brow, recalling q certain III
readiness of tone and manner which ha
struck her as strange at the time. "Man
ma, !" she continued, "we must send Brio
get or Maggie over to the village 70
help
'.No," almost screamed Mrs. EstabrooB
''not another person must leave the house
Oh, how could Peter choose the very do
Tom was gomez When he knows HOY
nervous l am, too land to think / toll
that-that desperate out there, that ther
wasn't man about the place Maud
Maud what shall we do ~
Il think have plan, mamma sal
Maud, raising her head from her brow
study. "Wait a moment" She flev
! upstairs and down again ''Now com
|, ont on the piazza. He mustn't suspeC
anything"
E The two ladies rejoined their unwelcom